A new welding program between the Erie County Community College and the Erie County Technical School launches Monday. It will allow students to get their welding certification faster and out in the work force.

Luke Hummer, the Welding Department head for the Erie County Technical School has been welding for twenty years and he's looking forward to teaching the next generation of students on Monday. According to Hummer,  "Our industry is growing tremendously and we are having a hard time filling those jobs due to the retirement. So having the ability to teach younger students is great for us."


These courses will be part of a partnership between the Erie County Community College and the Erie County Technical School. As Jennifer Kline, the Associate Dean of Academic for the Erie County Community College explained, "It's an opportunity that has high demand in our area and they can have a really good sustainable wage. So these high school students are able to do it at no cost and can graduate college and go right into a career, which is really important and increases our economic impact into the community, we are keeping jobs in the community, locally and we are helping our industry partners fill their pipeline."
Whether it's a welder or an electrician, these skills are needed in order to fill roles in our community, which is why these classes are so vital. There are several different certifications that students in welding can receive, which opens up job prospects.
"Whether it is marine which we have here. A lot of government contracts in the area, a lot of manufacturing in the area, a lot of welding is a need and in our programs, they are going to weld in various different positions. They are going to get four different micro credentials", explained Kline.


Filling these roles with incoming students will also help the growth of the economy. As Matthew LaVerde, the Executive Director of the Erie County Technical School explained, "If you don't have the people to build it, there's no economic development, there's no new businesses coming in, no new homes being built, that side of the economic development side of things."


Classes begin on Monday, for more information people can reach out to the Erie County Community College for details on those classes and others.